Dubai: Dubai Metro will help create a new wave of economic development in the emirate, said a senior official.
“Apart from reducing traffic congestion and increasing the use of public transport, the Dubai Metro will make the city’s business, residential and commercial centres more accessible, boosting the business activities,” said Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).
The Red Line of the Dh15.5 billion Dubai Metro Project, which is 74.6km long, is set to open in September while the Green Line will be operation in March 2010.
Al Tayer said that the metro stations would have retail outlets, which will provide excellent investment opportunities either at individual stations or line-wide-chain of retails and franchises.
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“Property development has started to spring up along the metro lines and economic generation will be induced,” he added.
He noted that by connecting the metro to business centres and shopping malls, the excessive need for parking spaces and facilities is bound to be reduced.
“This will also free up spaces for more developments around stations and along the metro line,” he said.
Al Tayer said people are excited and look forward to use the metro. “The metro has been designed to complement the other modes of transport, which include buses, taxis and the marine transport, and it will serve as a key link between places,” he added.
With the launch of metro and other mass transit projects, he said, Dubai will become an attractive destination for holding conventions, sport events, exhibitions, conferences and other international events. It will also promote tourism as it provides vital link between major tourist attractions including shopping malls and the Dubai International Airport. 3.
About the fares, he said: “We believe the metro will be affordable to all users.”
By Ashfaq Ahmed, Chief Reporter www.gulfnews.com
